The Rivers State Government has reassured residents of Port Harcourt and commuters using the NTA–Mgboba Road that rehabilitation work on the failed section of the road will be completed within the next two weeks. The assurance comes as motorists, residents, and business owners continue to express concern over the hardship caused by the deteriorated condition of the road and the increasing traffic congestion within the area.
The NTA–Mgboba Road is one of the major roads connecting several parts of Port Harcourt metropolis and is heavily used daily by commuters, commercial drivers, traders, and other residents. However, the road recently developed serious structural defects, worsened by heavy rainfall and poor drainage, making movement difficult and causing delays for road users.
Many residents say the failed section has negatively affected businesses and transportation in the area, as vehicles now struggle to move freely, especially during peak hours and rainy periods. Commercial drivers have also complained about increased vehicle maintenance costs due to the poor condition of the road, while traders and shop owners around the axis say customer traffic has reduced because of accessibility challenges.
Speaking with our reporters during an inspection visit to the project site, the Rivers State Commissioner for Works, Prof. Temple Nwofor, explained that contractors handling the rehabilitation are carrying out extensive underground and drainage works to permanently address the causes of the road failure.
According to him, the government is not interested in temporary surface repairs but is focused on carrying out a comprehensive reconstruction that will stand the test of time and prevent future collapse of the road.
“They have to repair the drain and construct drainage. Road work is not something you do overnight. Underground works are going on there now. In the next one week plus, the job will be through,” Prof. Nwofor stated.
The commissioner noted that the project initially appeared to require only minor maintenance, but engineers later discovered more serious underground issues linked to drainage failure and erosion. He explained that this discovery made it necessary for contractors to excavate parts of the road and construct new drainage channels capable of properly directing floodwater away from the road.
Prof. Nwofor stressed that the Rivers State Government under Governor Siminalayi Fubara remains committed to delivering quality infrastructure projects that will benefit residents for many years. He appealed to members of the public to remain patient and cooperate with contractors as work continues on the site.
“People should understand and bear with us. What they are doing is a permanent thing. Even before they got there, they thought it was minor maintenance, but they started again and tried to get to the real cause of the problem so they can solve it once and for all. So people should bear with us,” he added.
Some residents who spoke with our reporters welcomed the government’s assurance but appealed for speedy completion of the project to reduce the suffering faced by commuters daily.
A commercial driver operating within the axis, Mr. Chinedu Okafor, said the damaged road has increased travel time and reduced the number of trips drivers can make in a day.
“We spend several hours in traffic because vehicles move slowly around the failed portion. It affects our business seriously, especially during rainfall,” he said.
Another resident, Mrs. Faith Jumbo, described the situation as stressful for families and workers living around the area, noting that many people now leave their homes earlier than usual to avoid getting stuck in traffic.
Meanwhile, residents and business owners in Port Harcourt have also renewed calls on the Rivers State Government to accelerate work on the ongoing Port Harcourt Ring Road project. The Ring Road project, which is expected to improve transportation and open up economic opportunities across different parts of the state, has remained a major infrastructure project attracting public attention.
However, some residents expressed concern over what they described as the slow pace of work in certain sections of the project.
Speaking with our reporters, some residents said the Elikpokodu axis of the project has started deteriorating, particularly during this rainy season, making movement increasingly difficult for motorists and pedestrians.
Business owners within the area also lamented that the poor condition of the road is affecting commercial activities, as customers and transport operators now avoid the route because of bad spots and flooding.
They called on Governor Siminalayi Fubara to intensify efforts toward ensuring the timely completion of the project, emphasizing that the road is important for easing traffic congestion, improving transportation, and boosting economic activities across Port Harcourt and surrounding communities.
Residents further appealed to contractors handling both projects to maintain quality standards and ensure that the roads are constructed to withstand heavy rainfall and constant use.
